Preliminary evaluation of electroencephalographic entrainment using thalamocortical modelling

Abstract

The concept of linked oscillators in biological control systems has long been established. Frequency entrainment is a predominant explanation behind many biological rhythms. In this paper a preliminary examination of electroencephalographic entrainment is made to survey the possibility and methods of achieving signal entrainment at the highest level of neurological organization and function. A model of the thalamocortical system is employed to generate simulated electroencephalographic signals and is tested in various configurations in the search for entrainment under very simple conditions. Additionally, an analysis of the coupled Van der Pol model of the circadian rhythm controller is performed to identify the possibility of affecting that system with a drastically different coupling input signal. We were able to conclude that overall signal shape can have a significant impact on the entrainment characteristics of the system. Due to the nature of the underlying mathematical structure of the model, by examining the circadian rhythm controller, we found that it is unsuitable for entrainment to an incident entraining signal of much higher frequency.

Auditory driving of the autonomic nervous system: Listening to theta-frequency binaural beats post-exercise increases parasympathetic activation and sympathetic withdrawal

“…Research findings suggest that music and sound can modulate autonomic arousal through entrainment ( Trost and Vuilleumier, 2013 ; Regaçone et al, 2014 ). Entrainment is a process through which two autonomous rhythmic oscillators with similar but different fundamental frequencies interact, resonate, and synchronize ( Cvetkovic et al, 2009 ). Classic examples of entrainment include the synchronizing of human sleep-wake cycles to the 24-h cycle of light and dark ( Clayton et al, 2005 ), the synchronization of a heartbeat to a cardiac pacemaker ( Cvetkovic et al, 2009 ), and the use of rhythmic auditory stimulation in the rehabilitation of motor functions ( Thaut and Abiru, 2010 ).…”

Awareness on Digital Drugs Abuse and its Applied Prevention among Healthcare Practitioners in KSA

“…shown that I-dosing precipitates auditory driving with self-reported subjective experience of emotional and cognitive state [15][16][17][18].…”